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A review by mikkiokko
All the Lovers in the Night by Mieko Kawakami
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I think I read this book at the perfect time.
All the Lovers in the Night (STUNNING TITLE BTW) is about loneliness and fear. I deeply related to Kawakami's descriptions of loneliness, not only throughout my life but especially since I am back in my hometown for winter break and far away from the new relationships I have formed since leaving. It was actually surreal how well my feelings over the past few weeks were put into words. The fear that Kawakami also describes of the main character taking risks or just speaking up for herself and her wants HURT AND HEALED MY HEART SO BAD!Despite my shock and sadness of Mitsutsuka turning out to be a complete ass, I have learned to appreciate the ending. I appreciate the overwhelming and mildly all consuming portrayed when Fuyuko was starting to like him cause, let's be real, we've all been there. There's a reason there's that saying of "A crush is just a lack of information". Okay, let's be grown ups and own up to it. So, to show Fuyuko, who has struggled with immense loneliness and fear get through and overcome this man failing her to go on and be happy. Holy shit, that was the ending we may not have wanted but NEEDED TO HEAR. My compliments to the chef on that one.
I definitely recommend this book, I surely needed it. ALSO, Mieko Kawakami is literally a famous poet, lyricist, and all around master of words; have you heard the absolutely heart-stopping, mind shattering, cosmically beautiful lines this woman is dropping?!?!
"Why does the night have to be so beautiful?
As I walk through the night, I remember what Mitsutsuka said to me. "Because at night, only half the world remains." I count the lights. All the lights of the night. The red ligh at the intersection, trembling as if wet, even though it isn't raining. Streetlight after streetlight. Taillights trailing off into the distance. The soft glow from the windows. Phones in the hands of people just arriving home, and people just about to go somewhere. Why is the night so beautiful? Why does it shine the way it does? Why is the night made up entirely of light?
The music flows from the earphones filling my ears, filling me–it becomes everything. A lullaby. A gorgeous piano lullaby. What a wonderful piece of music. It really is. It's my favorite piece by Chopin. Did you like it too Fuyuko? Yeah. It's like the night is breathing. Like the sound of melted light.
The light at night is special because the overwhelming light of day has left us, and the remaining half draws on everything it has to keep the world around us bright.
You're right, Mitsusuka. It isn't anything, but it's so beautiful that I could cry."
Mind you, that is the opening to the book.
All the Lovers in the Night (STUNNING TITLE BTW) is about loneliness and fear. I deeply related to Kawakami's descriptions of loneliness, not only throughout my life but especially since I am back in my hometown for winter break and far away from the new relationships I have formed since leaving. It was actually surreal how well my feelings over the past few weeks were put into words. The fear that Kawakami also describes of the main character taking risks or just speaking up for herself and her wants HURT AND HEALED MY HEART SO BAD!
I definitely recommend this book, I surely needed it. ALSO, Mieko Kawakami is literally a famous poet, lyricist, and all around master of words; have you heard the absolutely heart-stopping, mind shattering, cosmically beautiful lines this woman is dropping?!?!
"Why does the night have to be so beautiful?
As I walk through the night, I remember what Mitsutsuka said to me. "Because at night, only half the world remains." I count the lights. All the lights of the night. The red ligh at the intersection, trembling as if wet, even though it isn't raining. Streetlight after streetlight. Taillights trailing off into the distance. The soft glow from the windows. Phones in the hands of people just arriving home, and people just about to go somewhere. Why is the night so beautiful? Why does it shine the way it does? Why is the night made up entirely of light?
The music flows from the earphones filling my ears, filling me–it becomes everything. A lullaby. A gorgeous piano lullaby. What a wonderful piece of music. It really is. It's my favorite piece by Chopin. Did you like it too Fuyuko? Yeah. It's like the night is breathing. Like the sound of melted light.
The light at night is special because the overwhelming light of day has left us, and the remaining half draws on everything it has to keep the world around us bright.
You're right, Mitsusuka. It isn't anything, but it's so beautiful that I could cry."
Mind you, that is the opening to the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape